benin4

Benin

History

It may be recalled that Benin, former Dahomey, is perhaps the "most beaten track by Europeans of any Africa". The history of Benin is a succession of kingdoms. In 1704, France received permission to erect a port at Ouidah, and in 1752 the Portuguese founded Porto Novo. On June 22, 1894, the territory was named by decree the "Colony of Dahomey and its dependences" and was granted autonomy which it retained until October 18, 1904 when it became part of French West Africa. On December 4, 1958 the Republic was proclaimed. Dahomey became independent on August 1, 1960 and is a UN member country.

If the first independent Government was ousted by a military coup on October 28, 1963, Dahomey, during the ensuing years up to 1972, went through a lot of political upheavals that always climaxed in military coups. That of October 26, 1972 was the starting point of a 17-year regime which three years later went red with a Marxist Leninist ideology. In other words, on November 30, 1975 Dahomey was under a centrally controlled government and eventually became the People's Republic of Benin. At the National Conference held in Cotonou (February 19-28, 1990) and at which all walks of life were represented, fundamental decisions were taken, namely:
- abolition of Marxist ideology as the State philosophy.
- the reversion to the genuine flag.
- the reversion to the multi party system.
- the dissolution of all one-party structures.
- the release of all political detainees and prisoners.
- the respect of all Human Rights.

Coat of Arms

It is an escutcheon with: - in the first quarter, a gold Somba castle.
- in the second quarter in silver, the Star of Benin painted to the life, that is to say an eight azure point cross with, at its angle, silver radiuses and sand in abyss.
- in the third quarter, a sinople silver palmtree laden with heralds.
- in the fourth quarter, a ship evocative of European penetration into the Country.

Supporters: Two gold brindled panthers.
Crest: Two horns full of sand with maize in the ear.
Motto: Fraternity, Justice, Labor sandwritten on a lancepennon.

Industry and Trading

Industry accounts for only a small percentage of the gross domestic product. Fishing industry meets only local consumption, so does textile industry. Palm processing facility needs improving; a sugar complex and a cement factory are jointly owned with Negeria. Breweries, soap unit... meet only local demand. Possotome village is, however, known for its internationally recognized mineral water.

Apart from limestone found in open quarry at ONIGBOLO, deposits of gold, phosphates, iron ore, marble, clay... are yet to be explored. The development of off- shore fields at SEME and elsewhere are underway. A Benin/Togo hydroelectric power has just been completed on the Mono river (the NANGBETO dam). There are attractive industrial projects and feasibility studies are available for some of them. The Beninese code of investment has been reviewed to insert, among other things, more incentives for investors. Benin is the natural gateway to Togo and Nigeria and to such landlocked countries as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.

Direct investments by American companies are promoted and strongly encouraged by the Benin Government. There can be joint ventures between Benin private sector and American companies to carry out such industrial undertakings as canning, paper processing units, glass manufacturing, salt processing units, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, clothing, palm oil, building materials,chemicals and any other items reflective of an industrial developing nation.

Banks, Working Time, Public Holidays

Banks

- Central Bank of West Africa P.O. Box 325 Cotonou
- Bank of Africa
- Financial Bank
- International Bank of Benin (B.I.B.)
The currency is the CFA franc divided into 100 centimes; the parity with the French franc is fixed:
1 FF =100 CFA francs.

Working Time

			Business hours

				Monday - Friday:	8a.m. to 12:30 a.m

	 						3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

				Saturday:		9 a.m. to 1 p.m.



			Government

				Monday - Friday:	8 a.m. to 12:30 3 p.m.

							3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Public Holidays

January 1:           New Year's Day

Easter Monday

Ascension Day

May 1:               	May Day

Whitmonday

August 1:           	National Day

August 15:         	Assumption Day

November 1:      	All Saints' Day

December 25:      	Christmas Day

Ramadan

Ad-el-FlTR

Maouloud

The details regarding Muslim Holidays are but approximative since they are observed following the sightings of the moon.

Hotel Industry

Benin Sheraton Cotonou		Hotel de L'etoile Cotonou

P.O. Box 1901 Cotonou			P.O. Box 1866

Telex: 511-5112			Tel. (229) 31-56-41

Tel. (229) 30-01-00 and		Telex: 5340

(229) 30-12-56      



PLM Aledjo Cotonou			Hotel de France Cotonou

P.O. Box 2292				P.O. Box 921

Telex: 5180				Tel.(229) 32-19-44

Tel. (229) 33-05-61 and 

(229)33-05-62	



Hotel de La Plage Cotonou		Hotel Beaurivage Porto Novo	   

P.O. Box 36				P.O. Box 387	   

Tel. (229) 33-25-60 and		Tel. (229) 21-23-99

(229) 31-25-61          	



Hotel du Port Cotonou			Hotel Dona Porto Novo	   

P.O. Box 7067				P.O. Box 95

Tel. (229) 31-44-43			Tel. (229) 21-30-52 and 

Telex: 5377				(229) 21-30-38

   

Hotel du Golfe Cotonou		Hotel Dako 1er Bohicon/Abomey                                    

P.O. Box 37				P.O. Box 218 

Tel. (229) 33-09-55			Tel. (229) 51-01-38 and 

Telex. 5321				(229) 51-02-38



El Dorado Cotonou			Hotel Gbena Ouidah

P.O. Box 37				P.O. Box 208

Tel. (229) 33-09-23			Tel (229)  34-12-15



Hotel G. L. Cotonou			Etoile Rouge Hotel Lokossa

P.O. Box 1226				P.O. Box 17

Tel. (229) 33-16-17			Tel. (229) 41-12-30

Telex: 5311



Hotel de L'Union Cotonou		Le Relais des Routiers Parakou

P.O. Box 921				P.O. Box 81

Tel. (229) 31-27-66 and		Tel. (229) 61-04-01

(229) 31-55-60                                   



Croix du Sud Hotel Cotonou		Hotel Tata Somba (PLM)

P.O. Box 280			P.O. Box 82

Tel. (229) 30-09-54 and 	Tel. (229) 82-11-24

(229) 30-09-55	        	       

Village Club Aheme

B.P. 2090 Cotonou